“I have a problem more…that the word tragic and sudden is used. That should not be used,” Grenell said.

Grenell evidently has a litmus test for tragedies, and Hoffman’s fatal heroin overdose does not qualify.

“A tragedy is when a single mother dies of cancer or a family dies in a car accident. That’s a tragedy. This situation is sad, but it wasn’t unexpected and we could see this coming,” Grenell said, adding that the media should not “glamorize” Hoffman’s death.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tom Kludt is a reporter for Talking Points Memo based in New York City, covering media and national affairs. Originally from South Dakota, Tom joined TPM as an intern in late-2011 and became a staff member during the 2012 election. He can be reached at tom@talkingpointsmemo.com.